THE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3566, 18 July 1922, Page 27

THE COUNTRY.

Correspondent* are reminded that all letter* Ibr the current week’s Issue must reach Dunedi* WOT LATER THAN SATURDAY NIGHT. Letter* coming to hand on Monday are too late, and aM thus a week old when they appear.

LAKE COUNTY. July 13.—After a week’s hard frost a thaw set in on Sunday. This was followed by Hii II early on Monday morning, developing lateT into a heavy downpour, which continued till well on in the afternoon.. As a result the rivers and creeks were in high flood at midday. The Arrow-Cromwell mail car was unable to get through the Royalbum, which at ordinary times is but a very small -stream, and had to return to Arrowtown. The roads throughout the district suffered considerable damage. There was rain again on Tuesday, but the weather lias now cleared, and frost has once move set in. Football.—At Glenorchy on Saturday last Country Pirates team was defeated by Glenorchy by 28 to 11, and at Queenstown yesterday Arrow lost to Queenstown by 19 to o. The Cup poi its are now— Glenorchy 9, Queenstown 7, Arrow 4, Country Pirates 0. Valedictory.—Mr W. C. Reid, who lias been telegraphist in the Arrowtown post office for the past four years, and is beingtransferred to Timaru on promotion, leaves Arrowtown to-morrow. Oil Friday evening last Mr Reid was presented with a suit-ease and travelling rug from the residents of the town and district. Mt G. H. Romans, who made the presentation, referred to the courteous and efficient manner in which Mr Held had carried out his duties, and also to the interest he had taken in sport, and sard that Mr Reid would carry with him to Timaru the best wishes of every resident in the district. Mr Reid suitably returned thanks. Russian Famine Fund. —The amoum, collected in the Queenstown district nowamounts to £sl 9s 6d. Over £3O has also been collected in the Arrow district. Death.—Another old resident of the district, in the person of Mrs Barker, relict oi Ml- George Barker, Macetown % passed away at her home. Arrowtown, on Friday last, at the advanced age of 94 years. Despite her great age the deceased lady enjoyed iairlj good health until a few days before her death. The late Mrs Barker was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and with her first husband (the late Mr Lewis Jenkins, came out to Australia in 1835. Ten yesis later the fajnilv came to New Zealand, airl 'r in» in tliis district in August-, 18Gd, and eettled at Hacetown, which was then a busy miuin- centre. Mrs Barker resided therefor about 30 years, and after a few years m Dnnedin she took up her residence in Arrowtown 11 years ago. Of a most kindly and charitable' disposition, she was held m the highest respect and esteem by all who knew her. She is ourvived by a family of two sons (Messrs Robert and W llliam Jenkins, Arrow town! and three daughters, one of whom being Mrs H. Hunter, Milter s Mat. The funeral, which took place oil ...tUidav, was very largely attended. The burial service was conducted by .the Rev, \A . M lihatto Personal. —Mr W. D. Hughes recently stationed at Timaru, has been appointed to succeed Mr W. C. Reid as telegraplnst at ths Arrowtown Post Office. —Miss Bowie, who has been mistress of the Queenstown Public School for the past four years, has received an appointment under the A-el-son Education Board, and will leave Queenstown earlv next month. Miss Bowie will be greatly missed in tennis and hockey circles. Crown Terrace Telephone. —Mr H. G. Lakeman, assistant engineer Telegraph Department, paid a visit, to the district lest week and selected a route for the proposed telephone line between Arrowtown and Grown Terrace. NGAPARA. j u ]y it —Xsapara, in common with oilier districts in Otago, has been experiencing verv hard frosts this last- month, considering that it is keeping - so dry in the meantime, although we have had o. l ainfa 1 of Jin so fat this year, the bulk of which fell m the earlier part of the year, the last three months has been fairly dry, and a lot of the residents are crying out for ram to .ill their tunks to enable them, to carry out their washing. On many occasions such as tins the railway department has had to carry cut water cn the trains for the convenience of the residents. Although it lias been very frosty at night the days have been remarkably mild and calm, more like summer days than winter. However, it is hoped that we will get plenty of rain later on ior the benefit of one and all. . Farming.—The mills l ave now pulled m after a longer season tlia.i usual, and except for a week or so of rough weather at the beginning of the season they have not lost any time whatever, ilie crops, on the whole, have turned out sutisfa teay. Wheal has run from 30 up to 70 bushels per acre, end oats up to 95 bushels. The crops took a large amount of handling on account of so much straw. The cheques of null hands reached £IOO per man, and over, 1 understand, in one instance. Teams are now at work everywhere putting in more wheat,, but probably there will not be so much winter wheat this year partly on account of the belated harvest, also or. account, of there being no guarantee os regards the pnee of wheat tor next. year. Probably there may be a good bit oi spring wheat sown later on. Stock are looking well as yet, and now t-.a-t the freezing works are goinc again this will relieve lhe anxiely of a lot of farmers who have slock to dispose of jet. Farewell—A farewell social was tendered to Mr ami Mrs W. M'CVne in the Xgapara Hall on Wednesday night, and, judging by the large attendance, proved to be very popular. Alter a few dances a presentation from the residents of the district was mode to Mr and Mrs M’C-one cf a cheque, lhe chairman, in making 'he presentation, referred in compliment a rv terms to the many good qualities of 1 1. - lecipients. Mr M’Cone thanked the residents very much for their- kindness. Sup, cr was then handed round, and dancing was resumed for some little tim:. Alter singing "Arrld lang syne evervbody proceeded home after a very eniovairle evening. 1 understand ' that Mr »i lihp nili Eased a property in Timaru, and will be taking i>q liis residence there shortly. , , Bazaar A strong « >ni.mittce cf ladies is at work in connection with holding n bazaar shortly in aid of the hall funds. The hall itself requires a coat of paint very badly, am! some minor improvements, and no doubt this bazaar will !>• a thorough success when if. comes off. under the management of the ladies of Xgapura. seeing that they have Mrs Webbes as chairwomen. Heath.—There lias been quite an epidemic of poisoned fingers in the district lately, and it behoves one to take every precaution in case of jv cidents to safeguard themselves. One of oui local railway hands, Mr M'Kee, bad to have a finger taken off. He n:et with a slight mishap three months ago. and is not progressing as w would like. In another in t : ,,no ,i lady is lucky to have escaped hieing the hand. ( ■• «, ra h—T! blacksmith’s shop, which bos been practically closed for two years,

has been again reopened under the guidance of Mr O’Brien, whom we wish well. LUMSOEN. July 14. —After about four weeks of very hard frost a warm rain set in on Monday last, bringing the snow suddenly off the mountain tops, causing a high flood in all the rivers and doing a lot of damage to fences, etc. So far no loss of stock is reported, nor of any of the settlers having to leave their homes hurriedly. Everyone is glad to see the end of the frosts, and all hands will now be busy with the plough again. Pastoral.—The hill pastures are holding out well. Turnips are plentiful. All stock are looking well and in good winter condition. , _ Property Sales. —Mr AY. English sold his farm at Castle Rock to Mr Dalzel, late cl Kokonui. Mr AV. Cummins has sold his Lumsdan business (general store) to Mr Kirkpatrick, of Lochiol. Mir E. J. Blackley sold his Castle Hill estate, Athol, to Mr Menlove, late of Centre Hill. This transaction was put through by the Messrs Dalgety and Co. (Ltd.) Lumsden agency. A feature of the occasion was the removal of Mr Menlove’s furniture and effects from Sawyers' Bay to Athol by m large motor van, and a return loading with Mr Blackley s furniture and effects to Dunedin. It is not to be wondered at when the like of this happens that tl.e train service is run at a loss. Masonic Social. —On Friday, 7th _ July, the Freemasons of Lumsden held their annual social in ilieir handsomely-built hall. About 40 couples took part in dancing, a portion of the hall being set apart for those who wished to play cards. A number of guests from the surrounding districts were present, and all voted the evening a- huge success. Many beautiful frocks added charm to the scene. Excellent music was supplied by Mrs and Mr Wylie, assisted by Mr Hinton (violin), from Invercargill. During the evening songs were rendered by Mrs Cairns (Invarcargill), Mrs (Dr) Watson, Mr 11. Washer (Invercargill), Mrs Liddell (Invercargill) giving a humorous monologue. A sumptuous supper was set out about- 12 o’clock, end about an hour later light refreshments were handed round. A successful function was brought to a close about 2 a.m. by tho singing of “God save the King." Valedictory.—Mr J. Bradley, telegraphist and clerk in tlie Lumsden Post Office, was entertained at a smoke concert on Tuesdayevening in Johnson’s Hall on the eve of his departure from Lumsden, having been transferred on promotion to Kaiapoi. Mr Bradley will be much missed, as he was a very popular and highly respected young fellow of exemplary character. He was presented with a well-filled wallet- by friends and the business people as a token of the esteem in which he was held during his four or five years' official capacity in the Lumsden office. Obituary.—An early pioneer of this district passed away suddenly about three weeks ago in the person of Mr George Pokenhora, better known as George Lee, an honest, upright. man in all his dealings. His remains were followed by a large numbers of friends to the Lumsden Cemetery. The Rev, C. E. Webb, of the Anglican Church, officiating at the graveside. Football.—The First Grade Lumsden Rugby team defeated Mossburn at Lumsden by 14 points to 6 points; drew with Athol, 6 points each; suffered defeat at the hands of Waikato by 10 points to nil, and also at the hands cf Balfour by 13 points to nil at Balfour, but turned the tables at Lumsden by defeating Balfour by 6 points to nil. The Lumsden Second Grade team defeated Balfour by 12 points to 6 points; defeated AVaikaia by 15 points to nil; defeated Athol by 14 points to 3. In school matches Lumsden drew with East Gore, 3 points each, and defeated a combined Balfour, Riversdale, and Ardlussa team by 9 points to nil. OUTRAM. July 14. —The weather still continues beautifully fine with heavy frosts at night. It is many years since we have experienced such severe frost. Social. —On Thursday evening the members of the Mosgiel Presbyterian Church entertained the members of the West and East Taieri choirs to a social evening. The evening was pleasantly spent in community singing interspersed with solos, duets, and items by the different choirs. Bowling.-—The annual meeting of the Outram Bowling Club was held in the pavilion I on Tuesday, 4th July. There was a fair attendance of members, the meeting" being presided over by Mr Doherty (vice-president). The balance sheet, showed a credit balance of £l4, to which must be added a balance of £T2, resulting from an entertainment lately held. The report lead by the secretary, among other matters made reference to the losses sustained by the club: Mr T. T. Grant, late president, had been transferred to the Bank of New Zealand at Bluff; Mr Cochrane had sold out his business and removed; Mr P. Chisholm, a keen bowler and good sport, had been removed by the hand cf death in the very prime of life. Following were elected office-bearers for season 1992-23: —President, Dr Wylie; vicepresident, Mr A. AA T alker; secretary, Mr S. J. Harrison; treasurer, Mr W. Southgate. M.I.S.— On Friday, 7th inst.., a. meeting of those interested in the formation of a Mutual Improvement Society in Outraiu was held in the Oddfellows’ Hell. After discussion it was decided to form such a society. A strong committee was set up, which can be trusted to got things moving shortly. It was decided to open the season with a social evening on Wednesday, 19tli inst-. President, Mr Harrison; vice-presidents—Dr Wyllie, Mr A. Walker, and Mr David Wyllie; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. Stewart. HERBERT. July 14.—The weather of late lias been very changeable, with high winds and showers of rain. Farm Work.—The farmers are hurrying on with the ploughing to be ready for the sowing of wheat in the spring. General. —The bachelors are holding their annual ball on July 20. —The Mutual Improvement Society is holding weekly meetings. Last Monday impromptu speeches were the order of the evening, and some of the members quite excelled expectations. Xext evening is to be devoted to holding a mock parliament-.—Last evening the Municipal Band and friends journeyed from I Oamarii to give an entertainment in aid of ! the Doctor’s Residence Fund Mr Rodman | was chairman, and in a few appropriate remarks briefly introduced the performers. The j programme opened with two se’ections by the band under the- baton of Mr Denholm. Cornet solos, duets, quartets were rendered by members of the band, and all enthusiastically received. The fancy dancing by Miss A. Denholm, to music by Piper Gillies, is worthy of special mention. 11 was easily seen her efforts were appreciated by all. Songs were sung by Mr Kicol, Misses Denholm (2) and Gray. All the items were loudly applauded, -nd all had to respond to encores. Mr AY. Roberts made a most efficient accompanist. Mr Rodman, cn behalf of the committee, thanked the performers and all who hacl assisted in making file entertainment such a success, and called

for trree cheers, which were heartily given. After the singing of ‘‘God save the King” the nail was cleared for dancing, which kept going merrily till the “wee sma’ hours.” WAIROA (Hawke’s Bay). July 11. —The local Harbour Board is not at all satisfied with the progress of the new harbour at Waihohopu. A new boulder grab of a heavier nature has been on order for some time, and is now being delivered, and when this is in proper working order it is the intention of the whole board and staff to view it working in order to devise meaais, if possible, of expediting the work. The scheme of tree planting done by the Harbour Board last winter has suffered an unfortunate set-back upwards of 1000 out of 6000 trees planted having died Blackberry Pest. —At the ordinary meeting of the local Borough Council on Monday evening considerable discussion took place on tlie increasing spread of the blackberry pest. The same question very largely engaged the attention of the local Chamber of Commerce at its recent meeting, and it is more than probable that these bodies will join in with the Parmers’ Union in an endeavour to eradicate tlie menace. Eugenics'.—The Wairoa Philosophical Society, which opens for the winter months ? n] y> has been giving some very interesting papers at- its various meetings, and at its last meeting a paper on eugenics was read, which claimed wide attention, and was listened to with interest. A Delay.—The local hydro-electric works, which are being pushed on steadily, suffered a set-back recently owing to several miles of wiring material having been lost in the wreck of the Wiltshire, thus rendering it necessary to cable to Home a repeat order. Wanton Destruction.—On several of the n J a hr roads leading out from Wairoa lines of beautiful native trees, principally the kowhai, skirt tho roadsides for many miles, and which has proved a source of attraction to tourists, besides affording good shade in the hot summer months. Now, since the beginning of the Public Works with the brauoh railway and the hydro-electric works, many of these beautiful trees have been wantonly cut down, also some beautiful patches of native bush has been swept away, and if something is not done scon to check, tlie destruction of these beautiful trees our roads will soon lose the only one good thing they can at present boast of—beautiful scenery.